“Now We Come Here, We Feel it”: Experiences of Anti-Asian Racism Among Community College Students in ESOL Programs

Abstract

ABSTRACT This inquiry examines anti-Asian racism in the wake of COVID-19 and focuses attention on the experiences of Asian immigrant students enrolled in programs for English Speakers of Other Languages at a two-year AANAPISI. We draw upon AsianCrit to explore the racialization of these newcomer immigrant students and examine experiences with direct and vicarious racism . Interviews with 20 Asian immigrant students resulted in five initial themes: 1) racism affected students personally and vicariously; 2) students lived in fear of racist attack; 3) Asian racialization was unexpected, 4) students sought community in processing anti-Asian racism, and 5) students expected institutions to address racism.